It's Thursday, and I was half-expecting a rebus...so I was pleasantly surprised to see a themed puzzle instead.
Michael Shteyman used his brain on this one. That was the theme, revealed at 65A: Word that can precede the starts of 17-, 35- and 54-Across and 16-Down. The four theme answers are:
17A: It might help you take a turn for the better (power steering).
35A: Ten minutes in a laundry, maybe (wash cycle).
54A: "You'll have to take my word for it" (trust me on this). For the record, I never trust anyone who has to tell me to trust him or her.
16D: Low pressure area (storm center).
Three of them were obvious--brainpower, brainwash and brainstorm--but I don't get brain trust. It is one of those things that will embarrass me when someone points it out?
Things I absolutely did not know:
30A: Emperor under Pope Innocent III (Otto IV). I knew he was either a IV or a V, because I had 31D: Letters on a Rémy Martin bottle (VSOP).
8D: Yellow spring flower (oxlip). I had oxeye...I would almost swear that's a yellow flower, too.
33D: Jewish month (Elul).
41D: Egg-laying mammal (echidna). I'd be surprised if very many people had heard of this, unless it's been in the puzzle more than once.
I remember the Lennon Sisters well, but I could only think of Kathy, Peggy and Janet. Because I knew 61D: Highest tile value in Scrabble (ten), I knew it ended with an E, but thought maybe it was Kathie. Eventually figured out it was Dianne.
Some things I loved:
14A: Wearing white after Labor Day, e.g. (faux pas). I don't just love the answer, I love the clue. That was always a big thing when I was growing up. To this day, when I see someone wearing white shoes in the fall (or, God forbid, in the winter!) I just shudder. Sometimes I even say Ugh! (38D: I hate it!). Because I do. And the only thing that's worse is wearing black hose with the white shoes...you know, to make it look more wintry.
32A: Early Surrealist (Max Ernst). I didn't just love this because it had another X, but that certainly didn't hurt.
49D: Titillating (juicy). What a juicy clue! I already had 48A: Pilgrim to Mecca (Hadji), so I knew that's what it had to be. Actually, I had Hajji for some time. That wouldn't have happened if they'd properly clued it as Jonny Quest's best friend.
And we have not just one--but two--of the infamous childhood taunts in one puzzle. 25D: Word repeated in a child's taunt (liar) and 50D: Kindergarten comeback (is too).
59A: Informal words of concurrence (me either) threw me off a bit. I had *EEIT*** and it didn't look as though anything would fit in there.
Well, here it is almost 11:00, and I have an early morning ahead of me. Be sure to check out Green Genius, where Howard B dishes up Sun commentary for the vacationing Robert.
Hope to see all of you tomorrow.
Linda G
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Wednesday, July 11 - Patrick Merrell
I almost feel as though I'm on vacation today...what with only having to solve and blog one puzzle! I enjoyed my time guest blogging for Green Genius, but it seemed like more than twice the work to solve the New York Sun and the New York Times. I guess I'm not on the Sun wavelength yet...the Tuesday puzzle stumped me something fierce.
So, it's nice to have a fairly easy (for a Wednesday) puzzle to solve. Patrick Merrell's theme involved three sports of sorts. The three theme answers are:
20A: Sport played on the first word of its name (table tennis).
35A: Sport played in the first word of its name (arena football). I've never really heard of that, but it was easy to infer.
51A: Sport played on the first word of its name (field hockey).
The best answer in the grid is at 31D: Pitcher who says "Oh, yeaahh!" (Koolaid Man). Check this out...way too funny.
Some other long answers that are nice to see.
18A: Mature before being picked (vine ripen). That's the only way to pick anything. Our apricot tree is just loaded. If you're in the neighborhood, stop by for some vine-ripened apricots.
6D: They run rapids (river rafts). Living so close to the Colorado River, we've done this a number of times. The older I get, though, the less I want rapids...I like the slow, easy floats. More my speed.
54A: It may get stuck in a movie theater (bubble gum). I'm glad the clue didn't reference The Archies.
42A: The lion in "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" (Aslan). That was in a puzzle I just did...if not a recent New York Times, then in one of my books.
Had THEM** for 46A (Organized crime) and was sure I'd done something wrong with the downs. A few more downs, though, and I knew I was on the right track with the mob.
I'm not sure about the clue for 22A: Ax user, e.g. (wielder). I mean, it works, but it conjures up images of Lizzie Borden.
I had to laugh at 62A: "Shucks!" (pshaw). I can't remember the last time I heard either of those words used, but they're still funny. And, in that same vein, 52D: "Yikes!" (egad).
I never saw any of the Austin Powers' movies, but it was easy to guess 26D: Dr. __ of "Austin Powers" films (Evil). I had already guessed 32A: Say "uncle" (give), and the V pretty much confirmed it.
I was just asking someone to explain 34D: Some hikers' targets, for short (QBs), when it came to me...32, 41, 15, hike! Or something like that. Do those numbers mean anything, or is it a random call?
I fell for it again! 6A: 50 Cent piece (rap). When will I learn? If cent is capitalized, it refers to Curtis James Jackson III.
Another clever clue at 15A: Voters liked him twice (Ike).
53D: Corker (lulu). Would have preferred to see it clued as the singer. I didn't know she did anything other than To Sir With Love, but it looks as though Lulu's stayed pretty busy.
Nice to see Eeyore in the puzzle. He's at 45D, clued as Pooh's mopey pal. But is anyone else getting tired of seeing bra? It reappears at 57D, clued as Strapped wear. I realize the letters lend themselves to inclusion in a grid, but would we ever see jock strap or athletic supporter in a puzzle? How about boxers or briefs? "Should that come to pass" (44D: if ever), I'd like to see them clued as men's undergarments.
There's a lot more good fill in this puzzle, but I'm calling it good for tonight. See you tomorrow.
Linda G
So, it's nice to have a fairly easy (for a Wednesday) puzzle to solve. Patrick Merrell's theme involved three sports of sorts. The three theme answers are:
20A: Sport played on the first word of its name (table tennis).
35A: Sport played in the first word of its name (arena football). I've never really heard of that, but it was easy to infer.
51A: Sport played on the first word of its name (field hockey).
The best answer in the grid is at 31D: Pitcher who says "Oh, yeaahh!" (Koolaid Man). Check this out...way too funny.
Some other long answers that are nice to see.
18A: Mature before being picked (vine ripen). That's the only way to pick anything. Our apricot tree is just loaded. If you're in the neighborhood, stop by for some vine-ripened apricots.
6D: They run rapids (river rafts). Living so close to the Colorado River, we've done this a number of times. The older I get, though, the less I want rapids...I like the slow, easy floats. More my speed.
54A: It may get stuck in a movie theater (bubble gum). I'm glad the clue didn't reference The Archies.
42A: The lion in "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" (Aslan). That was in a puzzle I just did...if not a recent New York Times, then in one of my books.
Had THEM** for 46A (Organized crime) and was sure I'd done something wrong with the downs. A few more downs, though, and I knew I was on the right track with the mob.
I'm not sure about the clue for 22A: Ax user, e.g. (wielder). I mean, it works, but it conjures up images of Lizzie Borden.
I had to laugh at 62A: "Shucks!" (pshaw). I can't remember the last time I heard either of those words used, but they're still funny. And, in that same vein, 52D: "Yikes!" (egad).
I never saw any of the Austin Powers' movies, but it was easy to guess 26D: Dr. __ of "Austin Powers" films (Evil). I had already guessed 32A: Say "uncle" (give), and the V pretty much confirmed it.
I was just asking someone to explain 34D: Some hikers' targets, for short (QBs), when it came to me...32, 41, 15, hike! Or something like that. Do those numbers mean anything, or is it a random call?
I fell for it again! 6A: 50 Cent piece (rap). When will I learn? If cent is capitalized, it refers to Curtis James Jackson III.
Another clever clue at 15A: Voters liked him twice (Ike).
53D: Corker (lulu). Would have preferred to see it clued as the singer. I didn't know she did anything other than To Sir With Love, but it looks as though Lulu's stayed pretty busy.
Nice to see Eeyore in the puzzle. He's at 45D, clued as Pooh's mopey pal. But is anyone else getting tired of seeing bra? It reappears at 57D, clued as Strapped wear. I realize the letters lend themselves to inclusion in a grid, but would we ever see jock strap or athletic supporter in a puzzle? How about boxers or briefs? "Should that come to pass" (44D: if ever), I'd like to see them clued as men's undergarments.
There's a lot more good fill in this puzzle, but I'm calling it good for tonight. See you tomorrow.
Linda G
Monday, July 9, 2007
Tuesday, July 10 - Pete Muller
I was definitely on Pete Muller's wavelength with this puzzle. I started singing the "theme song" after filling in just two of the answers.
The theme clues and answers are:
17A: Loan to a company before it goes public, say (BRIDGE financing).
30A: Spilling out (OVER the edge).
38A: Periods of unrest (TROUBLED times).
47A: Remover of impurities (WATER filter).
And it's all wrapped up at 59A: The starts to 17-, 30-, 38- and 47-Across, collectively (song by Paul Simon).
I'm always happy to see oldies in the puzzle. There's another one at 50A: "__ Song" (John Denver tune) [Annie's]. It's hard for me to think of that one as an oldie...but it is.
In addition to the theme answers, there were a couple of long answers that were g-o-o-d.
3D: Racing feat (Triple Crown).
27D: Lights on posts, perhaps (street lamps). That makes me think of Memory, one of the songs from Cats. I tried to learn it for my last piano recital, but there was a page that was beyond my ability. Maybe next time.
23D: It may be standing (ovation) was a gimme...and it put the V in place for the second theme answer.
I had some major trouble at the crossing of 26A: Lake that is a source of the Mississippi (Itasca) and 28D: Didn't work that hard (coasted). Neither word was particularly difficult, but I had an error at 29D: They may pop up nowadays (ads). Because I had IMs, I was trying to think of a lake that ended in I. Don't know how long I struggled over there. It didn't help that I didn't know 34A: Director Browning (Tod). I only had the T, so I thought he might be Tim...which meant that coasted eluded me, and so did Itasca. And it didn't help that 10D: Formal rulings (dicta) didn't end in an S. Rather than Itasca, I had _TSS_I. Good luck finding a lake that'll fit there.
I'm blogging the New York Sun for Green Genius again, although that will have to wait until morning. I don't solve nearly as fast as Orange, though, so I've spent the better part of this evening solving two puzzles. As a result, I am lacking vigor (6D: effete), so I'm going to call it a night.
Hope to see you tomorrow.
Linda G
The theme clues and answers are:
17A: Loan to a company before it goes public, say (BRIDGE financing).
30A: Spilling out (OVER the edge).
38A: Periods of unrest (TROUBLED times).
47A: Remover of impurities (WATER filter).
And it's all wrapped up at 59A: The starts to 17-, 30-, 38- and 47-Across, collectively (song by Paul Simon).
I'm always happy to see oldies in the puzzle. There's another one at 50A: "__ Song" (John Denver tune) [Annie's]. It's hard for me to think of that one as an oldie...but it is.
In addition to the theme answers, there were a couple of long answers that were g-o-o-d.
3D: Racing feat (Triple Crown).
27D: Lights on posts, perhaps (street lamps). That makes me think of Memory, one of the songs from Cats. I tried to learn it for my last piano recital, but there was a page that was beyond my ability. Maybe next time.
23D: It may be standing (ovation) was a gimme...and it put the V in place for the second theme answer.
I had some major trouble at the crossing of 26A: Lake that is a source of the Mississippi (Itasca) and 28D: Didn't work that hard (coasted). Neither word was particularly difficult, but I had an error at 29D: They may pop up nowadays (ads). Because I had IMs, I was trying to think of a lake that ended in I. Don't know how long I struggled over there. It didn't help that I didn't know 34A: Director Browning (Tod). I only had the T, so I thought he might be Tim...which meant that coasted eluded me, and so did Itasca. And it didn't help that 10D: Formal rulings (dicta) didn't end in an S. Rather than Itasca, I had _TSS_I. Good luck finding a lake that'll fit there.
I'm blogging the New York Sun for Green Genius again, although that will have to wait until morning. I don't solve nearly as fast as Orange, though, so I've spent the better part of this evening solving two puzzles. As a result, I am lacking vigor (6D: effete), so I'm going to call it a night.
Hope to see you tomorrow.
Linda G
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Monday, July 9 - Peter A. Collins
Peter Collins' Monday puzzle will have you up in arms! You know by now how happy I am to see circles in the grid, and there are 24 of them here.
After you finish the first couple of clues, you find an M in each of the four circles. The next two clues give you R (diagonally), and the two in the third row give you A, again diagonally...giving you four ARMS, with four more ARMS in the bottom three rows. The theme is revealed at 36A: Creature suggested by this puzzle's circled letters (octopus).
Not a shabby theme...quite good for a Monday, in fact.
And a bit of everything in the fill. Sports, music, films, art, beer, pop...it's all here.
20A: 1950s Wimbledon champ Lew (Hoad). That was before I was born, but I got it from the easy downs.
21A: Singer Morissette (Alanis).
28A: Pepsi and RC (colas). Don't drink either. Right now I'm drinking one of Oprah's lemon drop martinis...see yesterday's post for the link.
34A: Sportscaster Howard (Cosell).
42A: Turner who sang "Proud Mary" (Tina).
62A: 2001 Sean Penn film (I am Sam). Without a doubt, this was the most moving motion picture I have seen in my life. I was not a Sean Penn fan, but he was absolutely incredible as a mentally challenged father trying to keep custody of his daughter.
5D: Stella __ (Belgian beer) (Artois). I've never had it, but it's described here as the Belgian premium lager beer.
12D: Dadaist Jean (Arp). If this isn't in the Pantheon, it should be.
23D: Fast, in music (allegro).
42D: "Tip-Toe Thru' the Tulips" singer (Tiny Tim). If you don't remember him, click on this link. His appearance was quite an experience for a kid, which I was at the time, and his singing was even more frightening.
45D: __ Mist (7 Up competitor) (Sierra)...giving equal time to the un-colas.
A few answers that were just fun to see in the grid.
7A: Polite concurrence (yes, ma'am). It's funny...the older I get, the less polite it sounds. It just makes me feel o-l-d.
18A: Short sleeps (cat naps). I read the other day that people who take naps three times a week are less likely to have a heart attack, or something like that. Why take chances when you can take naps?
55A: Drinkers may run them up (bar tabs).
26D: Jewelry for a sandal wearer (toe ring). Once spring is here, I wear open-toed shoes. If it snows a few days later, too bad. And I always paint my toenails and wear three toe rings. I've told my husband that if I ever neglect my toenails, it means I'm seriously depressed. Seriously.
39A: Criticize in a petty way (niggle). It's such a funny word, I don't think I'd take offense if anyone did it to me...as long as I realized they were niggling.
4D: Where Moses got the Ten Commandments (Mt. Sinai). It's always good to have a Bible reference in the puzzle.
And I always like to point out the appearance of X in the grid...here at 52A: Driver's levy (road tax), crossing with 44D: They cause bad luck (jinxes).
I'll be guest blogging the Monday and Tuesday New York Sun puzzles at Green Genius, so come by and visit. I'll include a link to the puzzle, so you can join in the fun. The only hitch is that the Monday puzzle won't be available online until some time Monday...we've been spoiled by the New York Times!
Happy Monday!
Linda G
After you finish the first couple of clues, you find an M in each of the four circles. The next two clues give you R (diagonally), and the two in the third row give you A, again diagonally...giving you four ARMS, with four more ARMS in the bottom three rows. The theme is revealed at 36A: Creature suggested by this puzzle's circled letters (octopus).
Not a shabby theme...quite good for a Monday, in fact.
And a bit of everything in the fill. Sports, music, films, art, beer, pop...it's all here.
20A: 1950s Wimbledon champ Lew (Hoad). That was before I was born, but I got it from the easy downs.
21A: Singer Morissette (Alanis).
28A: Pepsi and RC (colas). Don't drink either. Right now I'm drinking one of Oprah's lemon drop martinis...see yesterday's post for the link.
34A: Sportscaster Howard (Cosell).
42A: Turner who sang "Proud Mary" (Tina).
62A: 2001 Sean Penn film (I am Sam). Without a doubt, this was the most moving motion picture I have seen in my life. I was not a Sean Penn fan, but he was absolutely incredible as a mentally challenged father trying to keep custody of his daughter.
5D: Stella __ (Belgian beer) (Artois). I've never had it, but it's described here as the Belgian premium lager beer.
12D: Dadaist Jean (Arp). If this isn't in the Pantheon, it should be.
23D: Fast, in music (allegro).
42D: "Tip-Toe Thru' the Tulips" singer (Tiny Tim). If you don't remember him, click on this link. His appearance was quite an experience for a kid, which I was at the time, and his singing was even more frightening.
45D: __ Mist (7 Up competitor) (Sierra)...giving equal time to the un-colas.
A few answers that were just fun to see in the grid.
7A: Polite concurrence (yes, ma'am). It's funny...the older I get, the less polite it sounds. It just makes me feel o-l-d.
18A: Short sleeps (cat naps). I read the other day that people who take naps three times a week are less likely to have a heart attack, or something like that. Why take chances when you can take naps?
55A: Drinkers may run them up (bar tabs).
26D: Jewelry for a sandal wearer (toe ring). Once spring is here, I wear open-toed shoes. If it snows a few days later, too bad. And I always paint my toenails and wear three toe rings. I've told my husband that if I ever neglect my toenails, it means I'm seriously depressed. Seriously.
39A: Criticize in a petty way (niggle). It's such a funny word, I don't think I'd take offense if anyone did it to me...as long as I realized they were niggling.
4D: Where Moses got the Ten Commandments (Mt. Sinai). It's always good to have a Bible reference in the puzzle.
And I always like to point out the appearance of X in the grid...here at 52A: Driver's levy (road tax), crossing with 44D: They cause bad luck (jinxes).
I'll be guest blogging the Monday and Tuesday New York Sun puzzles at Green Genius, so come by and visit. I'll include a link to the puzzle, so you can join in the fun. The only hitch is that the Monday puzzle won't be available online until some time Monday...we've been spoiled by the New York Times!
Happy Monday!
Linda G
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Sunday, July 8 - Elayne Cantor and Nancy Salomon
After the last two themeless puzzles, it's kind of nice to have a theme..for the hints, you know.
Today's is R-Rated Film Remakes. The seven theme answers, as well as links to the original (not R-rated?) titles, are:
23A: Remake about a red, white, and blue libido? (Lust in America).
32A: Remake about impiety during a storm? (Sinnin' in the Rain).
51A: Remake about a strip club? (Risque Business). [Update: I just checked to see its original rating and found some interesting quotes, which is where the link will now take you. How many of you remembered it was Joel who said, "Sometimes you just gotta say..."]
68A: Remake about a lecherous instructor? (The Naughty Professor). Funny, I had a discussion just the other day with a professor friend about this very thing.
88A: Remake about a TV station/F.C.C. controversy? (Broadcast Nudes).
106A: Remake about a holy person's slip? (Saint Misbehavin'). This was the last one to fall into place for me. I had the first letter blank for the longest time...until I realized that 106D: Logical Mr. was Spock.
119A: Remake about a ribald watchman? (The Bawdy Guard).
I know there are some out there who don't like puns (which appears at 112A, clued as Wits' bits). I wouldn't care for a steady diet of them, but I'm okay with them every now and then. And they're easy for me to figure out...wonder what that says about my sense of humor.
I really liked 30A: Boxer Marciano's given name (Rocco). That is just the best Italian name ever...his full name was Rocco Francis Marchegiano. My grandparents all came from Italy and Sicily, and we have some pretty good names in the family...Luigi and Giuseppe were my two favorite uncles, although we called them Uncle Louie and Uncle Joe.
I always like to see multiple word answers, and this had some good ones:
25A: Now and then (at times).
124A: Pamper (cater to).
127A: Represses (keeps in).
3D: It's not worth pursuing (lost cause).
10D: Buttered someone up big-time (laid it on).
33D: Just for laughs (in fun).
56D: Rent (lease out).
85D: "Whatever you want" (I don't care)
And my favorite...89D: Where a whodunit is solved (at the end).
The only hold I know is a nelson (well, other than a half nelson), and I was pleased that it was a gimme at 87A: Hold in the gym. Here's what it looks like.
I did not know 24D: Gather in a condensed layer (adsorb). I can hardly write the word. It feels and looks so wrong. But I looked it up after finishing the puzzle, and it means exactly what it says it does. I know abductor and adductor, as in muscles, so I guess absorb and adsorb can work. Still looks very strange.
I'm back from a two-hour break for dinner (and mucho vino), so I'll call it a wrap. Check the links in the sidebar for further commentary...there's so much more to love. Ooh, before I go...my favorite clue/answer. 16D: Fans' sounds (whirrs). I had the RRS in place and just knew I had something wrong. Yeah...what was wrong was my way of thinking.
See you tomorrow, when I'll be doing double duty. In addition to being here, I'll be at Green Genius, blogging the New York Sun while Robert hits the beach.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Linda G
Today's is R-Rated Film Remakes. The seven theme answers, as well as links to the original (not R-rated?) titles, are:
23A: Remake about a red, white, and blue libido? (Lust in America).
32A: Remake about impiety during a storm? (Sinnin' in the Rain).
51A: Remake about a strip club? (Risque Business). [Update: I just checked to see its original rating and found some interesting quotes, which is where the link will now take you. How many of you remembered it was Joel who said, "Sometimes you just gotta say..."]
68A: Remake about a lecherous instructor? (The Naughty Professor). Funny, I had a discussion just the other day with a professor friend about this very thing.
88A: Remake about a TV station/F.C.C. controversy? (Broadcast Nudes).
106A: Remake about a holy person's slip? (Saint Misbehavin'). This was the last one to fall into place for me. I had the first letter blank for the longest time...until I realized that 106D: Logical Mr. was Spock.
119A: Remake about a ribald watchman? (The Bawdy Guard).
I know there are some out there who don't like puns (which appears at 112A, clued as Wits' bits). I wouldn't care for a steady diet of them, but I'm okay with them every now and then. And they're easy for me to figure out...wonder what that says about my sense of humor.
I really liked 30A: Boxer Marciano's given name (Rocco). That is just the best Italian name ever...his full name was Rocco Francis Marchegiano. My grandparents all came from Italy and Sicily, and we have some pretty good names in the family...Luigi and Giuseppe were my two favorite uncles, although we called them Uncle Louie and Uncle Joe.
I always like to see multiple word answers, and this had some good ones:
25A: Now and then (at times).
124A: Pamper (cater to).
127A: Represses (keeps in).
3D: It's not worth pursuing (lost cause).
10D: Buttered someone up big-time (laid it on).
33D: Just for laughs (in fun).
56D: Rent (lease out).
85D: "Whatever you want" (I don't care)
And my favorite...89D: Where a whodunit is solved (at the end).
The only hold I know is a nelson (well, other than a half nelson), and I was pleased that it was a gimme at 87A: Hold in the gym. Here's what it looks like.
I did not know 24D: Gather in a condensed layer (adsorb). I can hardly write the word. It feels and looks so wrong. But I looked it up after finishing the puzzle, and it means exactly what it says it does. I know abductor and adductor, as in muscles, so I guess absorb and adsorb can work. Still looks very strange.
I'm back from a two-hour break for dinner (and mucho vino), so I'll call it a wrap. Check the links in the sidebar for further commentary...there's so much more to love. Ooh, before I go...my favorite clue/answer. 16D: Fans' sounds (whirrs). I had the RRS in place and just knew I had something wrong. Yeah...what was wrong was my way of thinking.
See you tomorrow, when I'll be doing double duty. In addition to being here, I'll be at Green Genius, blogging the New York Sun while Robert hits the beach.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Linda G
Friday, July 6, 2007
Saturday, July 7 - Todd McClary
Before I start on the daily blog, I want to wish a very happy birthday to our daughter, Leslie, who turns 18 on Saturday, 07/07/07. She was unhappy that she had to work on her birthday...an unwelcome welcome to the real world. Happy birthday, sweetie!
I don't know if I can blame it on the heat, but I'll try. Your puzzle totally kicked my butt, Mr. McClary.
But I was totally impressed! Stacks of 10-letter words--not just long, but good.
Three horizontal stacks in the top left:
1A: Magellan, e.g. (spacecraft). I didn't think it had to do with Ferdinand, but I was pretty sure it would end in strait. It actually worked with several of the downs...for a while.
15A: Enthusiastic welcome (hello hello). Not anything I'd say in conversation, no matter how happy I was to see someone. But I'm willing to overlook things like that when a puzzle has this much to offer.
17A: Imparts artfully (insinuates).
And three vertical stacks top right:
12D: Casa dei Bambini school founder (Montessori). Didn't know it by the clue alone, but I had enough of the acrosses to know that's what it had to be.
13D: Show tune sung by a stevedore named Joe (Ol' Man River). This was the only true gimme for the long answers. I learned this in History of Popular Music. It's from the musical Showboat...music by Jerome Kern, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein.
14D: Relinquishes control (steps aside).
The other vertical stacks, bottom left:
26D: Words to leave by (adios, amigo). After I'd done the acrosses, the only one I'd entered in that corner was 62A: "...maybe more, maybe less" (or so). Since I knew that the answer ended in O, I felt pretty confident entering hasta luego. It didn't take too long to see the error of my ways.
27D: Did a dog trick (rolled over). Played dead also fit, but that R at the end meant I'd better think of another trick.
28D: Aids in closing deals (sweeteners). That seems like a stretch, but it's definitely a Saturday clue. Monday would have something to do with iced tea.
The last of the stacks--horizontals in the lower right.
57A: Doctor, at times (inoculator). Until a few weeks ago, I had never been given a shot by a doctor. I'd have told you they didn't know how to do it. But Dr. Mitch, who gave me a cortisone shot, knew what he was doing. And so did I...he was hurting me! Seriously, my shoulder is so much better since that day. That and the physical therapy have worked magic.
61A: Cosmopolitan alternative (piña colada). I was pretty sure this didn't refer to the magazine, but I was trying to think of some kind of martini that would fit. Speaking of martinis, here's the recipe for Oprah's famous lemon drop martinis. They're to die for...and especially refreshing on these 100° days.
63A: Supporters of roads (state taxes). I've seen this just recently, but it may have been in one of my NYT books. Maybe one of the ACPT puzzles. Seven down, one to go, then I'll send it my packet in. Puzzle #7 kicked my butt worse than this one did. Its X crosses with 53D: Record label for Sam & Dave and Booker T. & the MG's (Stax).
Another X appears at 29A: Sorority letters (XIs), crossing with 23D: Track wager (exacta). This one has tripped me up before, and it tried to again.
A rare appearance by Z at 45A: Rumble in the Jungle setting (Zaire), crossing with 45D: Hound (zealot). We've seen the word before, but not clued that way that I can remember.
I very definitely do not understand 37A: Zolaesque imputation (J'accuse). I Googled it and found a reference to ACPT. Can someone clear this one up? And will I feel stupid when it's explained? [Updated 7:27 a.m. - Thanks, Donald. I corrected the way it should be written. Who can shed light on the ACPT reference?]
19A: Word with age or weight (atomic) made me laugh when I finally got it. I had middle. Hey, it works.
The worst word in the puzzle, although clued brilliantly, was 40A: Release a bulletin? (untack). The next time I remove something from my bulletin board, I will consciously be aware that I am untacking it.
I was delighted to see 41A: TV role for Bamboo Harvester. I never stopped to think that Mr. Ed had a name. I was just a kid...what did I know?
Speaking of long ago (although more recent than Mr. Ed), 10D: Quaint note opener (To Sir) made me think of To Sir With Love, starring Sidney Poitier and Lulu. I absolutely loved that movie. Better add it to my Netflix queue.
And 56A: St. __ (Cornwall resort town) (Ives) reminded me of the old rhyme. You can read it, plus an interesting commentary, here.
And I'm off to get some sleep.
Linda G
I don't know if I can blame it on the heat, but I'll try. Your puzzle totally kicked my butt, Mr. McClary.
But I was totally impressed! Stacks of 10-letter words--not just long, but good.
Three horizontal stacks in the top left:
1A: Magellan, e.g. (spacecraft). I didn't think it had to do with Ferdinand, but I was pretty sure it would end in strait. It actually worked with several of the downs...for a while.
15A: Enthusiastic welcome (hello hello). Not anything I'd say in conversation, no matter how happy I was to see someone. But I'm willing to overlook things like that when a puzzle has this much to offer.
17A: Imparts artfully (insinuates).
And three vertical stacks top right:
12D: Casa dei Bambini school founder (Montessori). Didn't know it by the clue alone, but I had enough of the acrosses to know that's what it had to be.
13D: Show tune sung by a stevedore named Joe (Ol' Man River). This was the only true gimme for the long answers. I learned this in History of Popular Music. It's from the musical Showboat...music by Jerome Kern, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein.
14D: Relinquishes control (steps aside).
The other vertical stacks, bottom left:
26D: Words to leave by (adios, amigo). After I'd done the acrosses, the only one I'd entered in that corner was 62A: "...maybe more, maybe less" (or so). Since I knew that the answer ended in O, I felt pretty confident entering hasta luego. It didn't take too long to see the error of my ways.
27D: Did a dog trick (rolled over). Played dead also fit, but that R at the end meant I'd better think of another trick.
28D: Aids in closing deals (sweeteners). That seems like a stretch, but it's definitely a Saturday clue. Monday would have something to do with iced tea.
The last of the stacks--horizontals in the lower right.
57A: Doctor, at times (inoculator). Until a few weeks ago, I had never been given a shot by a doctor. I'd have told you they didn't know how to do it. But Dr. Mitch, who gave me a cortisone shot, knew what he was doing. And so did I...he was hurting me! Seriously, my shoulder is so much better since that day. That and the physical therapy have worked magic.
61A: Cosmopolitan alternative (piña colada). I was pretty sure this didn't refer to the magazine, but I was trying to think of some kind of martini that would fit. Speaking of martinis, here's the recipe for Oprah's famous lemon drop martinis. They're to die for...and especially refreshing on these 100° days.
63A: Supporters of roads (state taxes). I've seen this just recently, but it may have been in one of my NYT books. Maybe one of the ACPT puzzles. Seven down, one to go, then I'll send it my packet in. Puzzle #7 kicked my butt worse than this one did. Its X crosses with 53D: Record label for Sam & Dave and Booker T. & the MG's (Stax).
Another X appears at 29A: Sorority letters (XIs), crossing with 23D: Track wager (exacta). This one has tripped me up before, and it tried to again.
A rare appearance by Z at 45A: Rumble in the Jungle setting (Zaire), crossing with 45D: Hound (zealot). We've seen the word before, but not clued that way that I can remember.
I very definitely do not understand 37A: Zolaesque imputation (J'accuse). I Googled it and found a reference to ACPT. Can someone clear this one up? And will I feel stupid when it's explained? [Updated 7:27 a.m. - Thanks, Donald. I corrected the way it should be written. Who can shed light on the ACPT reference?]
19A: Word with age or weight (atomic) made me laugh when I finally got it. I had middle. Hey, it works.
The worst word in the puzzle, although clued brilliantly, was 40A: Release a bulletin? (untack). The next time I remove something from my bulletin board, I will consciously be aware that I am untacking it.
I was delighted to see 41A: TV role for Bamboo Harvester. I never stopped to think that Mr. Ed had a name. I was just a kid...what did I know?
Speaking of long ago (although more recent than Mr. Ed), 10D: Quaint note opener (To Sir) made me think of To Sir With Love, starring Sidney Poitier and Lulu. I absolutely loved that movie. Better add it to my Netflix queue.
And 56A: St. __ (Cornwall resort town) (Ives) reminded me of the old rhyme. You can read it, plus an interesting commentary, here.
And I'm off to get some sleep.
Linda G
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Friday, July 6 - Pete Mitchell
Now this was a puzzle to love! Pete Mitchell's unthemed puzzle gives us plenty of stacks, both horizontal and vertical, two really clever 15-letter answers, and Scrabbly letters galore!
First, the 15-letter words:
17A: Basis of "America" (God Save the Queen). I guess I didn't realize until I read this that they have the same tune. I do know that Queen plays it at the end of their concerts, although I've never seen them in concert. The Q crosses at 10D: Govt. probe (inq). Hey, that's good enough for me. A Q by any other name would smell as sweet.
55A: Punish publicly, perhaps (make an example of). Not only is it good, check out its crosses:
35D: How some people walk (arm in arm). One of the few answers I had after my first read-through was 45A: Muffin holder (tin), which gave me an I in the right place...on tiptoe worked, for a little while.
36D: Hammer activator (piano key). Got it with only the N in place. Thank you again, tin.
37D: Avalanche setting (Colorado). How many of you thought mountain first? How many of you who live in Colorado did? I'm not even into sports and I got it.
39D: Something taken before practicing (bar exam).
41D: Dough must be squeezed out of them (misers). Excellent. I was thinking of something to do with a pasta machine...
43D: Light up at a dance? (strobe). So very clever, IMOO.
The letter V appears four times in the top three lines. In addition to GSTQ, it appears at:
1A: Actor whom People magazine erroneously declared dead in 1982 (Abe Vigoda). I just loved him as Detective Fish on Barney Miller. He was so grumpy/funny. His V crosses with 4D: Line of motor scooters (Vespa). I know that word from American Graffiti. The nerdy little guy, Terry, rode one.
15A: Persian's gift (nine lives). These clues just keep getting better! We think Dooley must be part cat, because he's already used up three lives that we know of. He seems to have made a complete recovery from the self-induced poisoning, and he survived the 4th of July. Fortunately, no one's setting off anything tonight.
16A: Gull-like (naive).
Several things I didn't know, but I could get most of them from the crosses.
33A: The last novel featuring him was "Stopover: Tokyo" (Mr. Moto). Never heard of the novel or the character.
41A: Cheekbone (malar). It's probably important, puzzlewise, to learn the technical names of the bazillion bones in the body.
60A: Rocker Patty who married John McEnroe (Smyth). Shows what I know...I thought he was still married to Tatum O'Neal.
42D: Distinctive director (auteur). If you don't know about auteur theory, you can read about it here.
Other things I liked:
12D: Get plastered (tie one on), right after 11D: Plaster (daub).
23D: Discards, with "off" (sloughs). I've always liked the word. I think of it in relation to getting rid of dead skin. What else would one slough off? Oh, maybe work, or responsibility of some kind.
25D: Designate (earmark). I would love to know the origin of that expression, but it's getting late. Maybe someone out there knows and would like to share.
37A: "Let's be reasonable..." (come now). What I like is that I got it immediately, and I have no idea why. I have never said either of those things in my life.
It was a bit strange to have a day off in the middle of the week. The downside was that Thursday felt like Monday, and one Monday in the week is enough. The upside, if you followed that train of thought, is that it's already Friday!
Bring on the weekend. Hope yours is a good one.
Linda G
First, the 15-letter words:
17A: Basis of "America" (God Save the Queen). I guess I didn't realize until I read this that they have the same tune. I do know that Queen plays it at the end of their concerts, although I've never seen them in concert. The Q crosses at 10D: Govt. probe (inq). Hey, that's good enough for me. A Q by any other name would smell as sweet.
55A: Punish publicly, perhaps (make an example of). Not only is it good, check out its crosses:
35D: How some people walk (arm in arm). One of the few answers I had after my first read-through was 45A: Muffin holder (tin), which gave me an I in the right place...on tiptoe worked, for a little while.
36D: Hammer activator (piano key). Got it with only the N in place. Thank you again, tin.
37D: Avalanche setting (Colorado). How many of you thought mountain first? How many of you who live in Colorado did? I'm not even into sports and I got it.
39D: Something taken before practicing (bar exam).
41D: Dough must be squeezed out of them (misers). Excellent. I was thinking of something to do with a pasta machine...
43D: Light up at a dance? (strobe). So very clever, IMOO.
The letter V appears four times in the top three lines. In addition to GSTQ, it appears at:
1A: Actor whom People magazine erroneously declared dead in 1982 (Abe Vigoda). I just loved him as Detective Fish on Barney Miller. He was so grumpy/funny. His V crosses with 4D: Line of motor scooters (Vespa). I know that word from American Graffiti. The nerdy little guy, Terry, rode one.
15A: Persian's gift (nine lives). These clues just keep getting better! We think Dooley must be part cat, because he's already used up three lives that we know of. He seems to have made a complete recovery from the self-induced poisoning, and he survived the 4th of July. Fortunately, no one's setting off anything tonight.
16A: Gull-like (naive).
Several things I didn't know, but I could get most of them from the crosses.
33A: The last novel featuring him was "Stopover: Tokyo" (Mr. Moto). Never heard of the novel or the character.
41A: Cheekbone (malar). It's probably important, puzzlewise, to learn the technical names of the bazillion bones in the body.
60A: Rocker Patty who married John McEnroe (Smyth). Shows what I know...I thought he was still married to Tatum O'Neal.
42D: Distinctive director (auteur). If you don't know about auteur theory, you can read about it here.
Other things I liked:
12D: Get plastered (tie one on), right after 11D: Plaster (daub).
23D: Discards, with "off" (sloughs). I've always liked the word. I think of it in relation to getting rid of dead skin. What else would one slough off? Oh, maybe work, or responsibility of some kind.
25D: Designate (earmark). I would love to know the origin of that expression, but it's getting late. Maybe someone out there knows and would like to share.
37A: "Let's be reasonable..." (come now). What I like is that I got it immediately, and I have no idea why. I have never said either of those things in my life.
It was a bit strange to have a day off in the middle of the week. The downside was that Thursday felt like Monday, and one Monday in the week is enough. The upside, if you followed that train of thought, is that it's already Friday!
Bring on the weekend. Hope yours is a good one.
Linda G
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